"The simplicity of a whiteboard with the power of a computer."
For years, chalkboards and eventually whiteboards were how teachers communicated and relayed information to their students. But as technology grew, even the education system was impacted. In 1991, the SMART Board was created by SMART Technolgies. The first of its kind, it is an interactive whiteboard that provides touch control of computer applications through Microsoft Windows applications.
So what IS a SMART Board?
This interactive whiteboard as the ability to save and store anything written on it as well as allow the user to refer and use notes or downloadable programs.
How is it used?
Users are able to input data onto the screen through digital plastic pens (no ink - perfect for using with young students), the user's hands, a wireless mouse or pointing device. All the software is loaded through a computer, where SMART Board-compatible software is used.
Parts
Mouse: Since the SMART Board does not use a traditional keyboard or mouse, the tray (found at the bottom of the screen) has two mouse buttons, just like the ones found of a normal mouse. These can be used to perform common functions. Pens and Eraser: These special pens do not use ink or even any electronic components. They come in typical colors such as blue, black, red and green, which display the same on the screen. The tray also comes with an eraser, that works just like the pens. By simply writing or erasing on the screen, it sends the infomation to the computer. What's amazing about the SMART Board is that none of the tools have electronic components. How they work is that when a user picks up a pen or eraser, the pen tray feels that it's "empty" and tells the computer to start picking up input signals from the screen using whichever item the user has choosen. Board: A projector is used to display a computer’s video output on the interactive whiteboard, which then acts as a large touch screen. The whiteboard accepts touch input from a finger, pen or other solid object.The SMART Board uses DViT (Digital Vision Touch) technology to detect and respond to touches. "This camera-based touch technology uses digital cameras and proprietary software and firmware to detect finger or pen contact with the screen." When it is touched, it is interpreted as a pen touch. SMART Boards use resistive technology. They are made of a flexible plastic front sheet and hard backboard that are coated with a thin resistive film. Pressure applied to the surface of the front sheet closes the gap and is registered as a contact point. This contact point is then converted from an analog signal to a serial data stream which is sent to a computer for further processing. This technology can process contact from a finger, pen tool or any device – such as a pointer. Software: The SMART Board has its own program, called Notebook. This is often used with other programs through Microsoft Windows. The Notebook is often used in education situations. It allows handwriting input and a spot for information to be stored in a column along the side of the screen. This way users can be found and pulled up at anytime. There are many different types of bundles available for users: SMART Classroom SuiteSMART Notebook SE softwareSMART Sync classroom management softwareSMART Response interactive response systemSMART Response CE softwareSMART Ideas concept-mapping softwareSMART Bridgit conferencing softwareSMART Meeting Pro softwareLinQ SoftwareMore information about these programs can be found online on the SMART Website Board For math teachers, an amazing program is the SMART Notebook Math Tools. With this program, educators can "create, explore, evaluate and solve math concepts." Teachers can either write notes, create graphs, solve equations, and create lessons all in one appliction. It includes the Customizable math toolbar, Advanced equation editor, Texas Instruments emulator integration, Table and graphing tools, Shape manipulation, and so much more!
Easy Set Up Directions!
When you have your SMART Board set up, on the left hand side of the Notebook application is a bar with several options.
Blank Page - While on this tab, users can view the different pages that are part of their slideshow.
Picture Frame - This tab opens up an amazing file that allows users to access the SMART Board Marketplace, My Content, Online Essentials for Educators, Themes, and Gallery Samples.
Paperclip - Here users can store attachments that are found in the slideshow.
Text Samples - Under this tab, users can change and modify the fill effects, line style, text style, object animation, and .............
General Uses
Although SMART Boards are usually used in a classroom setting, they can be used in other situations. Almost anything that requires presentation, but with the added aspect of cooperative learning and group interaction!
company presentations
work orientation/certification (interaction!!)
home schooling
children's birthday party games
cooperatively working on papers
Classroom Benefits
The SMART Board can help bring any classroom into the 21st century. Students are increasingly becoming technologically saavy. Teachers everywhere are continuing to find more benefits. For teachers:
helps maximize limited computer access or classrooms with only one computer
helps teachers become a creative educator
can use a database and correspond with other teachers (so many resources!!)
more imaginative lessons
flexibility
can use with other Windows applications
For students:
more interactive
hands on learning
group learning
helps direct attention
lower absences
accomidate different learning styles
For students with special needs:Research has shown that student with special needs need more help developing higher level thinking. The SMART Board allows instruction to be more student-lead than teacher-lead. The pens allow teachers (ESPECIALLY IN MATH) to use different colors to show steps and shortcuts. For students with attention deficiet disorder, attention falls on the board and not on other students who could be distractions. For deaf students, it's a much more visual experiences. Even so, they can use their own hands and fingers instead of pens, and it won't interfere with their signing. Also, graphs and charts can be a more visual tool for ESL learners.
Classroom Uses - For Math Teachers
save lessons for absent students
interactively teach steps in a problem
use different colored pens to show shortcuts and steps
easily use Excel
teach time telling
virtual geoboard
SMART Board Revolution - This site was created by high school math teacher Austin Keeping. It allows teachers to post questions, resources that worked for them, and revolves soley around the SMART Board. Post your questions here!
Sample Math Lessons
Johnnie's Math Page (Elementary/Middle School) - Includes different lessons for numbers, geometry, fractions, multiplication, measurements, statistics and probablity. Shine + Write (Elementary/Middle School) - Includes activities such as "Fraction Spinners", "Magic Squares", "Probability Line", "Polygons", and "Flash Tables". Vector Kids (Elementary/Middle School) - Strengthens basic math skills. Includes games! SMART Exchange (all grades) - Enter the subject and grade and find hundreds of lessons. Longwood Central School District (high school) - All lessons created by teachers in the Longwood Central school district in New York.
SMART Board - For Math Teachers
"The simplicity of a whiteboard with the power of a computer."
For years, chalkboards and eventually whiteboards were how teachers communicated and relayed information to their students. But as technology grew, even the education system was impacted. In 1991, the SMART Board was created by SMART Technolgies. The first of its kind, it is an interactive whiteboard that provides touch control of computer applications through Microsoft Windows applications.
So what IS a SMART Board?
This interactive whiteboard as the ability to save and store anything written on it as well as allow the user to refer and use notes or downloadable programs.How is it used?
Users are able to input data onto the screen through digital plastic pens (no ink - perfect for using with young students), the user's hands, a wireless mouse or pointing device. All the software is loaded through a computer, where SMART Board-compatible software is used.Parts
Mouse: Since the SMART Board does not use a traditional keyboard or mouse, the tray (found at the bottom of the screen) has two mouse buttons, just like the ones found of a normal mouse. These can be used to perform common functions.Pens and Eraser: These special pens do not use ink or even any electronic components. They come in typical colors such as blue, black, red and green, which display the same on the screen. The tray also comes with an eraser, that works just like the pens. By simply writing or erasing on the screen, it sends the infomation to the computer. What's amazing about the SMART Board is that none of the tools have electronic components. How they work is that when a user picks up a pen or eraser, the pen tray feels that it's "empty" and tells the computer to start picking up input signals from the screen using whichever item the user has choosen.
Board: A projector is used to display a computer’s video output on the interactive whiteboard, which then acts as a large touch screen. The whiteboard accepts touch input from a finger, pen or other solid object.The SMART Board uses DViT (Digital Vision Touch) technology to detect and respond to touches. "This camera-based touch technology uses digital cameras and proprietary software and firmware to detect finger or pen contact with the screen." When it is touched, it is interpreted as a pen touch. SMART Boards use resistive technology. They are made of a flexible plastic front sheet and hard backboard that are coated with a thin resistive film. Pressure applied to the surface of the front sheet closes the gap and is registered as a contact point. This contact point is then converted from an analog signal to a serial data stream which is sent to a computer for further processing. This technology can process contact from a finger, pen tool or any device – such as a pointer.
Software: The SMART Board has its own program, called Notebook. This is often used with other programs through Microsoft Windows. The Notebook is often used in education situations. It allows handwriting input and a spot for information to be stored in a column along the side of the screen. This way users can be found and pulled up at anytime.
There are many different types of bundles available for users: SMART Classroom SuiteSMART Notebook SE softwareSMART Sync classroom management softwareSMART Response interactive response systemSMART Response CE softwareSMART Ideas concept-mapping softwareSMART Bridgit conferencing softwareSMART Meeting Pro softwareLinQ SoftwareMore information about these programs can be found online on the SMART Website Board
For math teachers, an amazing program is the SMART Notebook Math Tools. With this program, educators can "create, explore, evaluate and solve math concepts." Teachers can either write notes, create graphs, solve equations, and create lessons all in one appliction. It includes the Customizable math toolbar, Advanced equation editor, Texas Instruments emulator integration, Table and graphing tools, Shape manipulation, and so much more!
Easy Set Up Directions!
When you have your SMART Board set up, on the left hand side of the Notebook application is a bar with several options.
General Uses
Although SMART Boards are usually used in a classroom setting, they can be used in other situations. Almost anything that requires presentation, but with the added aspect of cooperative learning and group interaction!Classroom Benefits
The SMART Board can help bring any classroom into the 21st century. Students are increasingly becoming technologically saavy. Teachers everywhere are continuing to find more benefits.
For teachers:
For students:
For students with special needs:Research has shown that student with special needs need more help developing higher level thinking. The SMART Board allows instruction to be more student-lead than teacher-lead. The pens allow teachers (ESPECIALLY IN MATH) to use different colors to show steps and shortcuts. For students with attention deficiet disorder, attention falls on the board and not on other students who could be distractions. For deaf students, it's a much more visual experiences. Even so, they can use their own hands and fingers instead of pens, and it won't interfere with their signing. Also, graphs and charts can be a more visual tool for ESL learners.
Classroom Uses - For Math Teachers
SMART Board Revolution - This site was created by high school math teacher Austin Keeping. It allows teachers to post questions, resources that worked for them, and revolves soley around the SMART Board. Post your questions here!
Sample Math Lessons
Johnnie's Math Page (Elementary/Middle School) - Includes different lessons for numbers, geometry, fractions, multiplication, measurements, statistics and probablity. Shine + Write (Elementary/Middle School) - Includes activities such as "Fraction Spinners", "Magic Squares", "Probability Line", "Polygons", and "Flash Tables". Vector Kids (Elementary/Middle School) - Strengthens basic math skills. Includes games! SMART Exchange (all grades) - Enter the subject and grade and find hundreds of lessons. Longwood Central School District (high school) - All lessons created by teachers in the Longwood Central school district in New York.
Citations
Archer, B. (2010, September 08). What is a smartboard?. Retrieved from http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-smartboard.htm
How to set up a smart board. (2009, May 25). Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ptMHO-btMsU
Keeping, A. (2010). High school math teachers [Web log message]. Retrieved from http://smartboardrevolution.ning.com/group/highschoolmathteachers
Larson, R. (1999-2010). Vector kids. Retrieved from http://www.vectorkids.com/
Longwood Staff. (2010). High school smartboard lessons. Retrieved from http://www.longwood.k12.ny.us/longsmart_lhs.html
Shine + write. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.transum.org/Software/SW/index.asp
Smart board activities. (2010, August 10). Retrieved from http://www.bristolvaschools.org/mwarren/sbactivities.htm
Smart boards why are they so easy to use?. (2009, April 13). Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0U05WeXPGlk&feature=player_embedded
Smart download software. (2010). Retrieved from http://www2.smarttech.com/st/en-US/Support/Downloads/default.htm
Smart exchange. (2010). Retrieved from http://exchange.smarttech.com/search.html?m=01
Smart lesson resources. (2010). Retrieved from http://www.education.smarttech.com/ste/en-US/Ed+Resource/Lesson+resources/
Smart notebook math tools software. (2010). Retrieved from http://www2.smarttech.com/st/en-US/Products/SMART+Notebook+Math+software/Features.htm
Using electronic whiteboards in your classroom: benefits. (2002, September). Retrieved from http://www.waukeshaschools.com/WIT/smartBoard/benefits
Wilson, J. (2101, July). Johnnie's math page. Retrieved from http://jmathpage.com/index.html
Created by:
Kristina Zook
Natalya Wipprecht
Magali Ledesma
Stephanie Meyer